Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Suzanne Connolly said there was now an opportunity for the political parties to clarify their plans.

Children's charity Barnardos said it was disturbing that so many parents were struggling to put food on the table for their children

Barnardos children’s charity s more than 650 children and families each year across Cork

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said other extensions of the hot school meals programme would be prioritised first

The survey also found that almost two thirds of parents had cut back on or went without social activities for their children.

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The Government has been urged to be more targeted with cost-of-living s

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Surging grocery prices mean families are now spending more on food but getting less

The children's charity said there had been an increase of more than 20 per cent in its waiting lists over the past 12 months

Barnardos is calling on the Government to implement measures in Budget 2023 to alleviate the pressure of back to school costs on families.